Monday, December 8, 2008

As simple as this sounds, proper breathing is really important and many of us underestimate the power of that. Think of the ways that your breath is effected by things that happen - holding your breath when you're startled, breathing harder when you exert yourself - you can probably already come up with many examples of your own. Occasionally paying attention to your breathing can tell you a lot about yourself. Take some time to take in some full, lung filling, abdomen expanding breaths and I guarantee you'll feel the benefits.

The Henderson Center

About Me

This blog is about sharing information. The two aspects, sharing and information, are the goals for this blog. If you would like me to post information about a certain topic or illness or condition, send me an email and I'll either share my knowledge or research your topic and post it on this blog.
Hendersoncntr@gmail.com

08/24/08 Livestrong Challange - Philly Tour, Bike Marathon

Volunteering by giving Shiatsu treatments on a massage chair was my contribution to this great event. This photo is a dad and son who rode their bikes for 45 miles. The boy is a fifth grader and his muscles were so sore and tight! Still, he smiled because he did it!

See that happy face!

One of my other passions - organic gardening, especially heirloom veggies. This is a picture of my first harvest from our backyard garden.

Dai Bosatsu Zendo

This is the chanting room where I spent an hour every morning at chanting at 5:30 a.m. which was followed by another hour of meditation done in another room. Breakfast was at 7:30 and sometimes my stomach did some embarrassing singing during the silent meditation!

Todaiji Temple (Great Eastern Temple) in Nara, Japan

The size of this wooden structure was amazing. It is currently the world's largest wooden building, even though the present reconstruction of 1692 is only two thirds of the original temple's size. Todaiji is one of Japan's most famous and historically significant temples and houses Japan's largest Daibatsu (Buddha statue.)

Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion) in Kyoto

This is as breath taking in person and is covered in gold leaf. In 1397 construction started on the Golden Pavilion as part of a new residence for the retired shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. Kinkakuji was converted into a Zen temple after Yoshimitsu's death in 1408. Kinkakuji functions as a shariden, housing sacred relics of the Buddha.